Teacher Approved: Elementary Teacher Tips & Strategies

Heidi and Emily, Elementary School Teacher and Resource Designer
  • 4.9 (140)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to be the kind of teacher you really want to be? We know that feeling and we’re here to help! Each week on The Teacher Approved podcast, we discuss how to be the teacher you dream of being by elevating what matters and simplifying the rest. Join co-hosts Emily and Heidi of Second Story Window as they share research-based and teacher-approved strategies you can count on to make your teaching more efficient and effective than ever before.  Topics include classroom management, routines for the elementary school classroom, planning, student-teacher relationships, teacher organization hacks, student engagement, classroom management, and more. Whether you’re a new teacher seeking guidance or a seasoned educator looking for fresh ideas, the Teacher Approved podcast is your guide to fostering a thriving elementary classroom! For more teacher approved tips and resources, head to www.secondstorywindow.net and follow along on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.

  1. 1D AGO

    232. 5 Ways Teachers Can Spark Joy When Classroom Energy Tanks

    November can feel gray and sluggish in the classroom. This episode shares five simple classroom energy boosters to re-energize both you and your students. We walk through the five Cs of classroom re-energizing: Change, Connect, Create, Celebrate, and Center. Each C is full of practical ways to add small sparks of novelty. You’ll learn how tiny shifts, like tweaking your classroom ambiance or building connection through gratitude, can make a big difference. These strategies break routines just enough to rekindle excitement, boost engagement, and bring warmth and delight back to your classroom - one tiny shift at a time! Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-energy-boosters/ Resources: Relax Kids: The Wishing Star: 52 Magical Meditations for Children Relax Kids - Aladdin's Magic Carpet: Let Snow White, The Wizard of Oz and Other Fairytale Characters Show You and Your Child how to Meditate and Relax The BrickInstagram: James Cook @jamescookartworkJoin the Teacher Approved Club!Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.Shop our teacher-approved resources.Join our Facebook group, Teacher ApprovedLeave a review on Apple Podcasts.Leave a comment or rating on Spotify. Related Episodes to Enjoy: Episode 37, Holiday Behavior Management Tips to Help You Survive Until Winter Break!Episode 51, Teacher Work Smarter Tip: Plan for Inside Recess NowEpisode 53, How Teachers Can Name What Matters to Survive the Mid Year SlumpEpisode 230, How to Keep Students Engaged Through Every Season of the School Year

    25 min

  2. NOV 3

    231. What's Not Working in Your Classroom? Time to KISS Those Problems Goodbye!

    If the school year’s starting to feel a little messy and your routines aren’t hitting like they used to, this episode is your cue to pause for a mid-year classroom reset! We’re using the K.I.S.S. Retrospective (Keep, Improve, Stop, Start) to help you reflect on what’s working in your classroom and what needs a refresh. From routines and student behavior to differentiation and teacher workload, you’ll get practical questions, real-life examples, and permission to simplify. Tune in to reflect, reset, and head into the rest of the year with confidence and a renewed sense of joy. Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/mid-year-classroom-reset/ Resources: Classroom Procedures and Routines Editable Slide DecksIf It Makes You Happy by Julie OliviaA Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu MandannaJoin the Teacher Approved Club!Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.Shop our teacher-approved resources.Join our Facebook group, Teacher ApprovedLeave a review on Apple Podcasts.Leave a comment or rating on Spotify. Related Episodes to Enjoy: Episode 150, Perfect Your Classroom Procedures with the Help of Our Guiding QuestionsEpisode 173, Getting into the Nitty Gritty of Classroom Procedures and RoutinesEpisode 176, Our 4 Tried and True Tricks to Reset a Rough Day of SchoolEpisode 223, The Core 4 Routines Every Classroom Needs to Run Like Clockwork

    25 min

  3. OCT 27

    230. How to Keep Students Engaged Through Every Season of the School Year

    This episode is a little bit of a Frankenstein...in the best way possible. Between Halloween chaos and a behind-the-scenes project you’ll hear hints about, we’re revisiting one of our most-loved conversations on student engagement strategies. We’re breaking down how to balance structure with novelty (aka spark) through the seven “seasons” of the school year, with practical tips for keeping students engaged, energized, and thriving, no matter what time of year it is! Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/student-engagement-strategies/ Resources: Editable Classroom Seating Chart ToolChristmas Festive BreaksHoliday Classroom Behavior Management PlansDecember Teacher Survival KitProcedure and Routine Editable Teaching SlidesProcedure and Routine Editable Review Slides Join the Teacher Approved Club!Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.Shop our teacher-approved resources.Join our Facebook group, Teacher ApprovedLeave a review on Apple Podcasts.Leave a comment or rating on Spotify. Related Episodes to Enjoy: Episode 35, 5 Ways to Increase Student Engagement – Our Secret Weapon for TeachersEpisode 91, Start Your Day Strong: Top Tips for Maximizing Your Morning WorkEpisode 104, From Chaos to Calm: 5 Techniques for Managing Classroom Behavior in DecemberEpisode 124, Spring Fever: 3 Tips to Help Your Spring Classroom Managementa href="https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/back-to-school-surprise-and-delight/"...

    30 min

  4. OCT 20

    229. How to Keep the Halloween Chaos in Check and Still Have Fun

    Halloween in the classroom can feel like wrangling a troop of caffeinated squirrels, but it doesn’t have to be chaos! In this episode, we share our top Halloween classroom management tips to keep students engaged, routines intact, AND the fun alive. From the lead-up to the big day and the reset afterward, we cover strategies like the “candy rule,” visual schedules, brain breaks, and backup plans, plus ways to handle treats, costumes, and parties so everyone feels included. With these practical tips, you can enjoy the seasonal excitement while keeping your classroom calm, focused, and full of lasting memories. Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/halloween-classroom-management/ Resources: Shop all our Halloween resources here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/product-category/halloween/Join the Teacher Approved Club!Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.Shop our teacher-approved resources.Join our Facebook group, Teacher ApprovedLeave a review on Apple Podcasts.Leave a comment or rating on Spotify. Related Episodes to Enjoy: Episode 33, Class Party Success - Our 7 Step Class Party Planning ChecklistEpisode 34, Plan the Perfect Halloween Class Party With 7 Easy StepsEpisode 96, How to Plan an Amazing 2nd Grade Class Halloween Party

    27 min

  5. OCT 13

    228. The Simple 6-Step Plan for Resetting After a Sub

    There’s nothing quite like that moment when you stand outside your classroom after being out. Will you walk into calm or chaos? In this episode, we’re sharing six simple strategies to get your classroom back on track after a sub day, whether you’ve been gone for a few hours or a few weeks. You’ll learn a step-by-step approach for resetting routines, reconnecting with students, and addressing behavior concerns in a way that restores calm and strengthens your classroom community. Walk away ready to confidently transition from substitute chaos to smooth sailing...no matter what you find when you open that door! Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/resetting-after-a-substitute-teacher/ Resources: Joshua Radin: One Day HomeJoin the Teacher Approved Club!Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.Shop our teacher-approved resources.Join our Facebook group, Teacher ApprovedLeave a review on Apple Podcasts.Leave a comment or rating on Spotify. Related Episodes to Enjoy: Episode 165, Keeping Students Engaged All Year Long, No Matter the SeasonEpisode 219, How to Build a Classroom Community That Lasts All YearEpisode 223, The Core 4 Routines Every Classroom Needs to Run Like ClockworkEpisode 226, The October Reset Every Teacher Needs

    24 min

  6. OCT 6

    227. 5 Smart Ways to Respond to Student Work Refusal

    You’ve just wrapped up an engaging lesson, given clear directions, and most of your class is happily working…except for that one student who just will not pick up a pencil. We know how discouraging it feels when this happens, so this week we’re sharing our best strategies for handling those tough moments with empathy and intention. Discover why work refusal isn’t just defiance, what students might really be communicating, and the simple shifts that can turn resistance into engagement. Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/student-work-refusal-strategies/ Resources: Join the Teacher Approved Club!A Fall Day For BearA Visitor for Bear Vocabulary - Read Aloud Lesson@nococookiecakes on InstagramConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.Shop our teacher-approved resources.Join our Facebook group, Teacher ApprovedLeave your review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on Spotify. Related Episodes to Enjoy: Episode 161, How to Get Students Actively Engaged: 5 Teacher Approved TechniquesEpisode 219, How to Build a Classroom Community That Lasts All YearEpisode 223, The Core 4 Routines Every Classroom Needs to Run Like ClockworkEpisode 226, The October Reset Every Teacher Needs

    23 min

  7. SEP 29

    226. The October Reset Every Teacher Needs

    Do you feel like you’re stuck in back-to-school survival mode while the rest of the year flies by? You’re not alone! In this episode, we’re talking about an October Reset for teachers - our favorite way to shift from the September sprint to a sustainable teaching routine. We’ll share five essential strategies to help you recover from the post-September crash, evaluate what’s working (and what’s not) in your classroom systems, and focus your energy where it really counts. Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/october-reset-for-teachers/ Resources: Join the Teacher Approved Club!Atmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love, by India HoltonConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.Shop our teacher-approved resources.Join our Facebook group, Teacher ApprovedLeave your review on Apple Podcasts! Related Episodes to Enjoy: Episode 32, 5 Classroom Management Questions to Help Banish Bad Class HabitsEpisode 94, A Great Day Before School Even Starts: Your Perfect Teacher Morning Routine At SchoolEpisode 176, Our 4 Tried and True Tricks to Reset a Rough Day of SchoolEpisode 223, The Core 4 Routines Every Classroom Needs to Run Like Clockwork

    23 min

  8. SEP 22

    225. 5 Easy Ways to Reignite Student Engagement During the September Slump

    The back-to-school honeymoon is over, and if your once angelic class is now fidgety and distracted, don’t panic. You haven’t lost your classroom magic! In this episode, we break down the September slump, why it’s normal, and how to use it as an opportunity to boost engagement without burning yourself out. You’ll learn five simple, low-prep ways to bring back the spark, plus how to spot the “check engine” lights that signal it’s time to revisit routines. These micro-novelties keep curiosity alive while maintaining the structure students need. Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/september-slump-in-the-classroom/ Resources: Digital Seating Chart ToolGlass potThe New York Times Game: PipsThe Holiday Headstart PodcastJoin the Teacher Approved Club!Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.Shop our teacher-approved resources.Join our Facebook group, Teacher ApprovedLeave your review on Apple Podcasts! Related Episodes to Enjoy: Episode 97, 3 Secrets For Using Your Classroom Seating Arrangement to Boost Classroom ManagementEpisode 99, Get Students Engaged with 3 Types of Active Participation StrategiesEpisode 156, Starting the School Year with Surprise and Delight: 5 Easy Ideas

    23 min
See All (234)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
140 Ratings

About

Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to be the kind of teacher you really want to be? We know that feeling and we’re here to help! Each week on The Teacher Approved podcast, we discuss how to be the teacher you dream of being by elevating what matters and simplifying the rest. Join co-hosts Emily and Heidi of Second Story Window as they share research-based and teacher-approved strategies you can count on to make your teaching more efficient and effective than ever before.  Topics include classroom management, routines for the elementary school classroom, planning, student-teacher relationships, teacher organization hacks, student engagement, classroom management, and more. Whether you’re a new teacher seeking guidance or a seasoned educator looking for fresh ideas, the Teacher Approved podcast is your guide to fostering a thriving elementary classroom! For more teacher approved tips and resources, head to www.secondstorywindow.net and follow along on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.

Information

You Might Also Like